Support for Youth Discipleship Project

Project Number:

962318

Start Date:

Sunday, February 1, 1998

End Date:

Friday, December 31, 1999

Abstract:

David F. White and associates of the Southern California School of Theology established a Youth Discipleship Institute (YDI) over a three-year period beginning in 1999. YDI’s objectives are: (1) to offer opportunities to high school youth to engage with the classic resources of Christian faith, and to theologically reflect on their own discipleship; (2) to enhance quality of youth ministry through reflection and experimentation with teaching approaches to education and formation of youth in Christian faith; and (3) to nurture and develop a new generation of Christian leaders.
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YDI carried out its objectives through a month-long summer academy that engaged high school youth in practices that deepened their experience and understanding of Christian discipleship. A second component consisted of: (1) partnerships with local churches on youth ministry related issues; (2) mentoring programs for youth who attended the summer academy; (3) a forum for youth, youth leaders, and Claremont students and faculty to discuss effective approaches to youth ministry; and (4) publication of resources on youth ministry.